Chasing Wonders (2020) shows that simple concepts when well developed can lead to great movies. When I say simple I mean the essence of the plot: a coming of age story which explores relashionship conflicts in a migrant family, original from Spain, that lives in Australia. The simplicity ends when we start analysing the screenplay. Judy Morris writing is very smart. First of all, it was a clever idea to alternate past and present through the narrative. It adds a nostalgia to the scenes about the past, making them more alike memories and also increases the will of knowing what happend and led to that future, making the movie more interesting. Another important thing to mention is the narrator. The feeling of somebody "watching from above" connects a lot with the story and is totally justified in a point in the narrative. To finish my analysis on the writing, there were many moments in which something said before was used later on in the film giving a strong meaning to many lines and conversations. In a film that focus in such a personal environment it's indispensable that the characters look real, with cohesive personalities and natural interactions. In this path, no line was wasted. Though some characters don't have many scenes, they do look relatable, realistic and their interactions feel real. This impression has a strong connection with the acting. It elevated even more the screenplay. I didn't know the cast and it didn't stop me from connecting with them. I highlight here Edward James Olmos, who is very charismatic and natural as Luis. Besides, his narration is fantastic, his voice is beautiful, very powerfull and touching. Michael Crisafulli acting amazed me as he was quite young in the scenes about Salvino past. He didn't look intimidated at all by the experienced and talented cast beside him. Antonio De La Torre, who plays Felipe, the main character's father, had a brilliant performance with many memorable scenes. Not only regarding lines but his body language too was perfect, every look, making Felipe almost touchable. The pace was fantastic. It didn't drag nor looked short though it has less than an hour and a half, so I praise Nicholas Gaster for his editing. Paul Meins shots together with Denson Baker cinematography and the special effects made Chasing Wonders a feast for the eyes. The desert scenes are breathtaking and there are many clever shots throughout the film. Furthermore, the music elevated the atmosphere and helped turning this movie a beautiful and touching memory.
Review of Chasing Wonders
